On 20 Jan 2006, at 13:16, Pauline Ridley wrote:

> I don't think there is any way round the fact that different
> disciplines have different conventions and I'd strongly resist any
> wholesale adoption of Harvard across universities. 

Agreed - and the 'disciplines' include the publishers and 
publications.

(I come from a
> MLA/numbered footnoting background - which is now so easy to implement
> with 'Insert Footnote' tool in Word!)

Yeah - but less easy for printers and readers?

> 
> As long as students are encouraged to think about why the conventions
> have evolved (rather than just trying to follow rules without
> understanding them) they can usually grasp the basic features of the
> two main systems, and then learn to use whichever is required on their
> course. 

And not just 'think about' - also go and look at them; try to locate details of works cited in text - 
how, as a reader, does the use of the Harvard convention differ from the use of numbered footnotes/ endnotes? try following up 'ibid.' and 'op.cit', in either approach.


As academics we also have to adapt to varying requirements
> from different journals - having recently had to write a book chapter
> using an unfamiliar system as required by the editors, I'm considering
> offering a prize for a simple macro to automatically convert
> references from one style to the other.
> 

Why note use EndNote, ProCite, Biblioscape, or any of the other 
excellent bibliographic management programs? In-text citations 
and reference listing can then be altered at the click of one or two 
keystrokes. Buying EndNote was one of the most useful 
purchases I ever made.

Personally, I think all universities should provide such software as standard for all students. 
WriteNote could be placed on a server, accessible via the web. 
Students can be trained in its use then be expected to present their work with proper use of required convention, 
as the technical stuff is done electronically. Of course, they do 
have to insert references correctly in the library/ database, and 
select appropriate ones for the point they are making, etc - ie the 
intelligent bit.

> I'd certainly agree that any learning support should use course
> guidelines as the starting point, rather than try to teach a common
> standard . Perhaps teaching staff should also be encouraged to take a
> flexible view - if a student is using a particular system consistently
> and correctly, even if it isn't the 'official' course version, then we
> really shouldn't be penalising them. 

Certainly not, if the instructions were not clear. But if someone who sends text for potential publication in a journal has not followed the 'author guidelines' wrt citations and referencing, their text will not be published until corrected (assuming it gets through refereeing). So, if 
instructions **are** clear, yes they should experience the consequences (penalty).

regards



Len

Dr Leonard Holmes
Principal Lecturer in Human Resource Management
Luton Business School, Putteridge Bury Campus,
Hitchin Road, Luton LU2 8LE
tel. 01582 743111 ext 5014
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websites: http://www.re-skill.org.uk
          http://www.odysseygroup.org.uk

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websites: www.re-skill.org.uk
          www.odysseygroup.org.uk